Shared space: Have your say

Events are being held '¨across Kirkintilloch as part '¨of the new public consultation on the town centre's '¨controversial shared space.

The local community council is leading the process to gauge public opinion, in conjunction with planning consultants Kevin Murray Associates of Glasgow.

However, the consultation will not include the busy 
Catherine St/Kerr St junction.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Council boss Thomas Glen said: “Consultation is being carried out on the future of Kirkintilloch town centre – led and organised by Kirkintilloch Community Council.

“There will be a separate consultation – organised by East Dunbartonshire Council - focusing on the Catherine Street/Kerr Street junction and potential future options.”

The consultation relating to the junction is expected to begin within a few weeks.

Campaigners have been battling for the shared space to be scrapped for the past three years because of safety issues.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In June last year, the council’s then SNP minority administration called for the possibility of reinstating the traffic lights at Catherine St be addressed “as a matter of urgency”.

But Lib Dem councillor Susan Murray put forward an amendment for a wider public consultation prior to any 
decision and her group was backed by Tory councillors.

Nigel Rooke of the community council, who is heading the public consultation, said this week: “This is about community empowerment. We want people to feel they have a say. We are trying to get as many people’s views together as possible.”

Drop-in sessions, pop-up sessions and public workshops have been organised. The community council says on its Facebook site: “Come in any time to share your thoughts. Drop-in Sessions: Lesser Hall, Kirkintilloch Town Hall Thursday 25 January – Saturday 27 January, 10am – 5pm; Pop-up sessions: William Patrick Library Thursday 25 January, 1:00 – 5:00pm; Regent Centre, Friday 26 January, 10am – 1:00pm

Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre 27 January, 10am – 1:00pm.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Public Workshops, which the community council describes as “informal, to discuss ideas with others”.

Lesser Hall, Kirkintilloch Town Hall, Thursday 25 January, 7:00 – 8:30pm; St Marys Church Hall, Saturday 27 January, 1:30 – 3:30pm.

There is also an online questionnaire organsied by the community council which people can fill in. This can be found at https://tinyurl.com/kirky-survey

Mr Rooke said meetings were also being organised with “special interest groups” such as East Dunbartonshire Visually Impaired People’s Forum “in order to get everyone’s views.”